When “True Crime Frankenstein” premieres tonight, many in the audience will find it both familiar and entirely new.

Loosely based on Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking work, this play puts a modern spin on the 200-year-old novel. Using the classic Frankenstein tale as a starting point, writers Matt Cox and Eli Bolin combine pop music and sketch comedy to create a new work about a high school student and her true crime podcast.

Emma Gusick stars as Mary Sheldon, a modern version of the author.

“Mary lives in a basic town where nothing really happens, until there’s a murder,” Gusick explained. “She becomes so interested in it, she starts a podcast to try to figure out who did it.”

Zane Bachert, the show’s director, selected this play after seeing it last summer.

“I saw its world premiere at Penn State while I was there for a teacher’s conference to expand my technical theatre skills,” Bachert said.

“After the show, we had a talk back with the writers, and Concord Theatrical let us know they were looking for high schools to pilot this show,” he continued. “I jumped at the chance to offer our students the amazing opportunity to pilot a show, which is a rare privilege.”

“I think it’s a very funny comedic play,” said Baylin Gillenberger, who plays Ernest, Dr. Frankenstein’s brother. “The cast is amazing. The actors have specifically been chosen for their roles and there are a lot of plot twists.”

Jackson DeJesus, who plays the creature, couldn’t agree more.

“The jokes are funny and entertaining,” he said. “Teenagers around 14 and up will be able to relate to the story and get the humor.”

The show originally premiered as a co-production between Penn State Centre Stage, Concord Theatricals and Penn State Musical Theatre.

New characters not in the original work were added to this contemporized version that becomes a modern-day whodunit. Bachert is also instituting a few new approaches in this production. For one, a live band will accompany the cast in the musical.

“Our music director and I worked to find individuals willing to work with us for this show,” Bachert said.

Middle school music teacher Reid Clymer is the music director and conducts the band.

Bachert is also providing understudies with a chance to shine on stage.

“We’re having a separate performance for the understudies,” said Jossalin Romanot, who plays Gusick’s understudy.

“Most of the roles have understudies,” explained Charlotte Storch, who is the understudy for Aunt Tabitha, Mary Sheldon’s aunt. “That gives other cast members a chance to step up and portray the characters.”

The Friday performance will feature understudies.

“This show is so much fun,” Bachert said. “I knew our students would love it, which they truly have!”

“True Crime Frankenstein” is billed as “a tale of dark science, monsters, and an alarming amount of preventable murder.” The play has a three-day run at 7 p.m. Dec. 4, 5 and 6 in the high school auditorium.

Tickets cost $9 for adults and $6 for students and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased on the school’s ticketing website. (https://www.northwesterntigers.org/main/otherad?contentID=53577066).